Walnut Cove Fire Department has managed to improve its protection class rating only a few years after being placed on a one year probation for failing to meet state requirements. This improved protection class rating will help residents and property owners in the Walnut Cove Fire District lower their property insurance rates. This new class rating took effect Jan 1st, 2014.

Property insurance, such as homeowners insurance, dwelling fire insurance and even business insurance policies like commercial fire insurance and businessowners insurance all develop their rates from several factors, one important one being the protection class in which the property is located. Each fire district is assigned a protection class rating from 1 to 10. The lower the number, the better the fire protection offered by that fire department and thus the lower the property insurance rates will be for property located within that fire district. These protection class ratings are certified by the state. In assigning these ratings, the state looks at the fire department’s ability to respond quickly, whether or not they have water available at hydrants or if they have to carry the water on their trucks. The supporting fire departments in surrounding districts can also help reduce their protection class rating.

In Walnut Cove’s case, they were able to make huge strides in a relatively short period of time to dramatically reduce their protection class ratings. For those inside the city of Walnut Cove their new protection class rating will drop from an 8 to a 5. For those within a 5 mile district surrounding the town limits, their new class rating has dropped from a 9 to a 6. The people of Walnut Cove and in particular their fire department should be proud of this accomplishment and what it means for the safety and protection the people and property in the Walnut Cove Fire District.

If you have property located in the Walnut Cove Fire District, keep an eye on your next property insurance policy renewal. If you don’t see a reduction in your insurance costs at the next renewal, then I would advise that you contact your agent to be sure that your policy renewed with the new protection class code applied to the rate. It is easy for insurance companies to miss these changes and you wouldn’t want to miss out on the savings that your fire department has earned for you.

At Clinard Insurance Group, located in Winston Salem, NC, we want all of our clients to be informed insurance consumers. If you would like help with your auto or home insurance, or your business insurance or even your life insurance, please feel free to call us, toll free, at 877-687-7557.